The National tribune., 1887-02-24
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY

that this number constitutes at least one-third
of those who would be placed upon the pension
roll under the provisions of this bill, and this
opinion is strengthened by careful and elabo-
rate examination Of reports of the Commits
sioner Of Pensions for several years past, and a
careful comparison of tables submitted in such
reports But 10 guard against any possibility
of understanding, they have placed the num-
Der at three times that given by the Commits
| sioner, making the total number $1,000, the
annual cost of which would be about =, 100000,
allowing the full pension to all. But the statis-
tics obtained show that of the 5000 so estimated
/ TO be dependent 100 are now receiving PEN
| sions of some amount and 500 are reported in
sane or blind. 1t is. highly probable that many
are now receiving the full amount allowed by
/ this measure.
1t is proper to add in this connection that
/ the amount of pensions paid under the pension
| laws, except where the rate is fixed for specific
| disability, depends TO a considerable extent
| upon the report made by the Examining Boards
of Surgeons and the decisions of the Medical
| Referees of the Pension Office, and also upon
the construction given by the Commissioner of
| Pensions If the benefits of this act are re-
stricted to total inability 10 procure a subsist
ence by daily labor, your committee are conf
dent the amount required would not exceed
the estimate herein made. 1t is true that cost
should not be set against patriotic duty or
the recognition Of right" The duty to pro-
| vide for those soldiers now in want, or who are
either inmates of our almshouses or who are
cared for by private beneficenee, seems to be
clear and indisputable. No consideration of
probable cost should be allowed to come be-
tween them and the relief which they are en-
titled % receive from country which they
have helped TO save.
The cost as estimated by your committee was
not excessive, and was well within the means
of the Government. But if it should happen
that the cost should be largely increased by
addition TO the list Of many more than was es-
timated, the country is well able TO care for
them. The system Of taxation which has ex-
listed since the war, and which Congress has
manifested no disposition to interfere with,
produces a revenue far beyond that which is
necessary TO carry on the Government econom-
ically administered. This surplus is constantly
on the increase, and is a standing temptation
for every kind of device to again get il into cir
culatiOn among the people. This committee
has nothing TO say as to the immediate neces-
sity for certifying our harbors and coasts, nor
as to the amount of expenditure requisite for
such an undertaking, nor have they any special
fault to find with the erection of public build
ings whenever the public convenience require
them, nor yet do they criticize the large
amounts annually expended in the improve
ment of the rivers and harbors Of the country.
But it is patent fact that no such schemes
would be entertained in many instances nor
such large amounts expended in these directions
were il not for the large and constantly increas-
ing surplus in tho Treasury surplus which
there will be no way Of returning to circulation
among the people after the payment Of the 3
per cent. bonds, now nearly completed, and be-
fore the maturity Of the bonds becoming due
in 1891, except by appropriations for some pur-
pose. Dismissing the question whether PEN
sion is gratuity, which the President in a
former message says il is not and accepting his
/ InftV hiatt
charity, and not considering it necessary to
present purposes exactly to define whether a
pension is q gratuity or a charity, or simply an
expression of gratitude from the people TO those
who have in times past been their defenders
and reducing the whole question to one OF
money expedicney, 1t seems TO your committee
that this surplus will be best restored TO them
in the manner proposed by this bill
No bonded interest or huge monopolies can
claim il rs their own, and share ii among them.
selves according to the strength of their "cOm.
bine." 1t will 20 among the people in small
amounts and will be spent in their midst. II
will be returned directly to those from whom il
largely came. Your committee has thus fal
failed 10 receive any expressions of disapprova
of this bill from soldiers or army organizations
on the contrary they heartily approve of it, a:
indeed they should, for it was framed at theil
instance and in accordance with the necessitie:
Of cases constantly brought to the notice of this
committee and claiming their attention. -
far rs they have been able to gather public
, sentiment on this question, the opposition t.
the bill seems to DC strongest in moneyed cen
tiers in which all water which does not turn
their mills is considered as worse than wasted
Your committee has no means of ascertainins
what bonded Indebtedness is still resting on
T great majority OF Northern Counties and citie
: on account of the large local bounties paid oul
soldiers" SO far as the knowledge OF their OWL
districts goes, this Indebtedness has been paii
: long since. No motives Of patriotism were con
: cerned in the creation of this debt. n draf
was imminent, which would have swept int
the army the rich and poor, without draw
ing any nice distinctions of any character
{ | whatever The Counties, Townships and the
{ cities, therefore, decided for themselves, ant
S ON their own motion, that they would prefe
{ TO pay bounties and raise their quota rather
5 than have their citizens subjected TO the drag
net of the draft. IL any Counties, Township
4 or cities are yet oppressed by the debts erected
: in this way, il is because the aversion of thei
y citizens to military service was so great tina
l they were willing and anxious to pay extra
G ordinary bounties TO those who were willing Il
S go in their places.
= 1t was a bargain all around, and neither party
c to it is entitled to any special sympathy or con
r sideration. 1t is undoubtedly source o
4 pride and congratulatiOn to the American citi
n zen that his country is not put to the charg
n | VI SlsluullIH III LiLlc
Il of peace and it is also TO DO regretted tina
a we are now living under war tax which Ia
: been tolerated in peaceful times to meet TIN
& obligations incurred in war" Your cOmmitte
}. regret that they not able to suggest wa.
n of escape from the expenses incurred in tn
), prosecution of war. An army is not neceSsit.
/ in times of peace, and the expense of maintain
s. ing one can be dispensed with, but TO carry Of
a war with any degree of success an army
% necessary, and all the unusual expense cOnse
n quent upon its equipment and support must b
e incurred, to be paid for when peace and pros
n perity are again restored. The era of universe
e peace not yet having arrived, we must con
> time 10 fight first aud pay afterward.
v Your committee has no desire to discuss a
), the points alluded TO in the message of tn
l. President, but they feel constrained to allud
e TO that portion of a former message in whic
10 he says: Il cannot rid myself of the convictio
d that If these cXsOldiers to be relieved, the
n and their cause are entitled to the benefit of u
IS enactment under which relief may be elaine
Y as a right. and that such relief should egrant
re ed under the sanction of law. and not in evasiO
of il; nor should such worthy objects of car,
% all equally entitled, be RENTED To the unequl
II operation of sympathy or the tender mercies
10 social and political influence with their unjuS
) Determinations
II The experience ofyour committee has bTougl
d them into hearty accord with these views
o. the President, aud largely in accordance wit
SO his suggestions they framed a bill which the
10 then thought. and still continue to think, wi
M | hest appomnlish tina en,ls nrnnngel They al